Top 4 Piracy Hot Spots in the World Today

A Jones Act lawyer on the Gulf Coast knows seamen and women don’t always have the luxury of avoiding piracy-prone areas. Depending on your location, one of the biggest threats to your safety is piracy. When injury occurs, seafarers may file a suit, but only a Jones Act lawyer based on the Gulf Coast can tell you for sure.

The World’s Top Four Hot Spots for Piracy Today

Knowing the top regions for piracy is crucial, especially if you’re on a vessel that has shipping routes near the following areas:

Somalia, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea – With 2,000 miles of coastline and the Gulf of Aden to its north, Somalia sits along one of the busiest areas of trade in the entire world with its proximity to the Indian Ocean, Suez Canal and Arabian Sea. It’s big business: an estimated 50 pirate bands comprising up to 3,000 pirates stole upwards of $238 million in 2010, according to a May 2011 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Nigeria, Benin and the Gulf of Guinea – This piracy hot spot has been on the rise for the past year and is now considered just as dangerous as waters surrounding Somalia, with hijackings and cargo thefts common. Pirates here have been known to resort to violence because their main target is the cargo (almost always oil or gasoline), not ransom for hostages.

Indonesia, Malaysia and the Malacca Strait – The Malacca Strait’s proximity to the Suez Canal, which allows for access to Egypt and Europe, make it a prime pirating location. Some of the areas most susceptible are the Anambas, Natuna and Pulau Merundung islands, where pirates have earned a reputation for nighttime attacks.

South China Sea – Attacks in this area are typically the work of Malaysian and Indonesian pirates. Because of the many jurisdictions in this area, prosecuting and punishing pirates is a challenge, which is what may have allowed piracy to continue since it first emerged in the region in the 1990s.

When you work out on the water for a living, piracy may sound like an obscure threat of days past, but, in fact, it’s a reality of our modern world. It’s the job of the employer to keep its employees safe. If protocols and safety procedures were not followed, and you were injured in an incident involving piracy as a result, you may have the right to file a maritime claim.

For instance, did the shipping or transportation company operate the vessel at full speed through high-risk areas, provide physical barriers like razor wire, report positions to military authorities or designate a muster station to keep crew members safe?

In some situations, you may be able to utilize the Jones Act and file against your employer directly, but to be sure, you’ll need to work with a Jones Act lawyer who helps Gulf Coast seamen and women.

When you’ve been injured offshore for any reason, piracy included, working with any personal injury attorney is a good step, but it may not give you the best direction for your case. The Young Firm is a Jones Act lawyer team dedicated to Gulf Coast victims of maritime accidents. To speak with us at no cost and no obligation, call 1-504-680-4100 or 1-866-938-6113.